Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
TISSUE
COLD INJURY
Freezing
Frostnip
Frostbite
Non Freezing
Trench foot Immersion
foot
Childblains
Patophysiology of Tissue
Freezing
Temperature below -2C
Distal area of body and area with high
surface to volume ratio; ears, nose,
fingers and toes
As tissue begins to freeze, ice crystals
are formed within cells. As intracellular
fluids freeze, extracellular fluid enters
cell and extracellular salts increase
due to the water transfer.
Cold
Mild
Superf Deep
Respon Frostni cial
Frostbi
se
p
Frostbit te
e
Sensati Painful
on
May
Numb
have
sensatio
n
Numb
Feels
Normal
Normal
Soft
Hard
Color
Red
White
White
White
Frostnip
Freezing of top layers of skin tissue
Reversible
White, waxy skin, top layer feels
hard, rubbery but deeper tissue is
still soft
Numbness
Most typically seen on cheeks,
earlobes, fingers and toes
Treatment of Frostnip
Rewarm the area gently, by blowing
warm air on it or placing the area
against a warm body part (partners
stomach or armpit)
Do not rub the area this can
damage the effected tissue by
having ice crystals tear the cell
Frostbite
Skin is white and wooden feel all
the way through
Numbness, possible anesthesia
Deep Frosbite
Loss of sensation with pale,
yellow, waxy look if unthawed.
Poor capillary refill.
Tissue loss, can involve muscle
and bone
Hemorrhagic bullae form in 3rd
degree injuries at 12-35 hours
unless re-warming is rapid.
Red discoloring 1-5 days after
injury.
Rewarming of Frosbite
By immersion the effected part into a
water bath of 40.5 43.3 C.
Remove constricting clothing
Monitor and maintain the warm water
bath temperature
Thawing is complete when the part is
pliable and color and sensation has
returned
Discontinue the warm water bath when
thawing is complete
Prevention of Trench
Foot
Keep feet dry by wearing appropriate foot
wear, check feet regularly to see if they are
wet
If feet get wet (through sweating or
immersion), stop and dry feet and put on
dry socks
Periodic air drying, elevation and massage
will also help
Change socks at least once a day and do
not sleep with wet socks.
Chillblains
Caused by repeated exposure of bare
skin to temperature below 15.5 C
Redness and itching of the effected area
Particularly found on cheeks and ears,
fingers and toes
Cold exposure causes damage to the
peripheral capillary beds, this damage
is permanent and redness and itching
will return with exposure
Childblains
Symptoms:
initially pale and colorless
worsens to achy, prickly sensation then
numbness
red, swollen, hot, itchy, tender skin upon
rewarming
blistering in severe cases
Childblains
Treatment
Childblains
Prevention
keep dry and warm
cover exposed skin
wear uniform properly
use the Buddy System